Debra Copeland, WSET3, CSWS

9.3

Ripe blackberries, cherries, black plums with herbal notes of sage and bay leaf, black pepper, anise. Dark chocolate and cedar with high tannins round this out. This will age nicely. — 3 years ago

Hum

9.7

Truly a lesson in finesse. Bright refreshing but substantial and textured. Pepper, wood smoke, pomegranate and cranberry, rosewood. So much! — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

Dark tawny and opaque. Herbal nose. Notes of herbs de Provence, wispy dark fruit, white pepper, some old wood and a little kirsch. Great balance in the mouth. I would call this at peak and doubt it improves with more age, but no need to be in hurry to drink these. Plenty of life ahead of it. — 5 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

8.9

I really liked this. The granache is tamed nicely by the wood here. Not super firey, but there's definitely some more pepper from the syrah. We had it on the deck with chicken drumsticks and gnocchi. — 6 years ago

with Anita

"Odedi"

9.3

Time for my #FridayCabernetfix . Here's a beautiful one from Israel.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Nice nose of black currants, blackberries, cherries, vanilla, earth, wood, vegetables, dark coffee, herbs, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite and peppercorn.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth, black tea and spices.

Long finish with fine tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon is always enjoyable. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel and nice complexity. Tastes like a blend of old world and new world.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly and show its tannins and complexity, but good right out of the bottle also.

Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.

This 6 year old is very tasty now, and will age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Grapes are grown at a high elevation and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Kosher for Passover.

14.5 % alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$35. — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Dark purple in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose of sweet cherries, dried fruits, coffee, vanilla, wood, plums, metals, milk chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, cherries, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, vinaigrette, bitter greens, graphite and peppercorn.

Medium finish with full tannins and tangy cranberries.

This Napa Petite Sirah /Malbec blend is very enjoyable. Nicely balanced with a great mouthfeel. Shows nice complexity too.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up. Will be better in a year or two, but already enjoyable even by itself.

A blend of 60% Petite Sirah, 20% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 5% Zinfandel and 3% Syrah.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$25. — 7 years ago

Liz Hale

9.0

Tasty, needed a decant. Green pepper, fennel, wood. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

From magnum and paired well with three different Tri-tip steaks sources and marinades.

On the nose, sweet & sour, ripe dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, some ripe, slightly rustic rhubarb with just a hint of blue fruits. Glycerin, touch of fruit liqueur, vanilla, dry stones, crushed rocks, hints of dry herbs, used leather, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, soft dark spice, underlying white pepper and dark red fresh and slightly withering florals with a touch of violets.

The palate is med and beautiful. The length, structure, tension and balance are at its peak harmony from magnum. Sweet & sour, ripe dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, pomegranate, some ripe, slightly rustic rhubarb, burnt orange, with just a hint of blue fruits. Glycerin, touch of fruit liqueur, vanilla, dry river stones, crushed rocks, hints of dry herbs, used leather, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, dry stems, more presence, soft dark spice, underlying white pepper and dark red fresh and slightly withering florals with a touch of violets and blue flowers. The acidity is waterfall perfect. The rich, ripe, fresh fruit, well balanced finish is simply beauty on steroids.

Photos of, Lopez de Heredia, Vat fermenters that are still in use and somewhere between 100-200 years of age (they repair them as needed to keep them tight), their cooperage and Maria José López de Heredia who now runs the family business. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Ruby in color with medium intensity and a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of raspberries, strawberries, sweet cherries, light oak, chocolates and light spices.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, raspberries, light wood, earth, bitter herbs, light vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and black pepper.

Nice spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is an enjoyable Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast.

Easy drinking and good for parties. Showing mild complexity with a nice smooth mouthfeel.

Spicy and entertaining. A good porch wine, too. Would be interesting to try it again in 3 years.

Shows light barnyard on the nose, that gets lighter after an hour of airtime. After 2 hours of airtime, it drinks more like a Beaujolais. Interesting stuff.

Good by itself or with food. Paired wonderfully with a fresh brick oven pizza with prosciutto, parmesan and arugula.

Aged in French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$36. — 3 years ago

Brandy Markovich

9.1

Bit of wood and pepper on nose. Sweet berry. Light tannins. Definitely get again! — 4 years ago

"Odedi"

9.7

For my 5,000th review on Vivino, it's time for a special bottle. Here is a gorgeous Bordeaux blend.

Dark ruby in color with a short brick rim.

Gorgeous nose of blueberries, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, smoke, eucalyptus, black pepper, tobacco, herbs, leather, wet leaves, earth, vegetables and graphite.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs. Smooth and elegant.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, plums, cherries, figs, licorice, wood, vanilla, sweet cherries, graphite, spices, earth, wet leaves, herbs, light vegetables and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

What a great surprise. This Bordeaux blend is drinking so beautifully right now. Well balanced and very complex. Gentle with lots of fruits and earth notes.

This 14 year old from Knights Valley needs a couple of hours to open up properly and really show up. Delicious.

Robert Parker 95 points. Wine Spectator 95 points.

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit verdot.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

15.1% alcohol by volume.

97 points.

$200. — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Extremely fruity on the nose with black cherries, black currants, dried figs, raisins, alcohol, licorice, vanilla, cedar, cloves, spices and black pepper.

Full-bodied, smooth, bold and rich, with medium acidity and long long legs.

Dry to off dry on the palate and very fruity, with black cherries, blackberries, figs, raisins, vanilla, sweet raspberries, tobacco, spices, spice box, wood and peppercorn.

Long finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a great red blend from California. Uniquely rich, extracted and interesting. Has that Bourbon Barrel taste to it, with lots of fruits, and maybe some residual sugar. I also get some Port characteristics.

I was hoping for it to chill down by now, as a 5 year old, but it is still very vibrant and extremely fruity.

Good by itself as a sipping wine and good right out of the bottle. Might be too much for some 😉

Aged for 3 months in Bourbon Whisky barrels.

17% (OMG!) alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$25. — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Deep purple in color with a short purplish rim.

Fruity nose with black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, oak, licorice, vanilla, earth, vegetables chocolates, coffee, beef jerky, bell pepper, vinaigrette, light barnyard, dust, smoke and peppercorn.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, black currants, sweet raspberries, cherries, wood, licorice, bitter herbs, spices, light vegetables, dark chocolates, alcohol, graphites, earth, tobacco and peppercorn.

Long and spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great Syrah from Santa Ynez Valley in California. Nicely balanced with a great mouthfeel and nice complexity.

Drinks way easier than it should, with all that alcohol, but still a little hot at the back of the throat. This is not a wine for the faint of hearts... Showing great complexity on the nose.

Needs an hour in a decanter to open up properly and remove some of the stinky nose. After an hour, it changes every 20 minutes. I love these kind of wines. Too bad it's my last bottle.

I had it 6 months ago, and it is already drinking better. Will age nicely in the next three to five years, and will probably get to 94 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine and good with food. I paired it with Brie cheese.

A blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (70% new).

15.7% alcohol by volume!

91 points.

$45. — 7 years ago

Evie Olson

9.1

Super delicate yet beautiful nose. Aromas of orange blossom & slight baked cherry, truffle with an almost potpourri quality & White pepper. The palate is textured yet elegant & fresh. — 8 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

This is a nice and easy drinking Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.

Medium plus in body and very smooth, with medium acidity.

Showing red fruits with earth, wood, spices, tobacco leaf, chocolates and black pepper.

Still young and would be better in a few years.

13.1% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$75. — 4 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

This is great. Wonderful nose. Smells like Napa red. There’s a nice lightness to all the fruit, jam, flowers, cedar, cassis. Palate is also very well balanced. A ton of fruit, cassis, a bit of wood, earth, well integrated tannins. Benefited from 1.5 hour decant. Would love to try more of this one in the future especially 2018 release. — 4 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.3

A spicy Pinot. White pepper, light red fruit, pine needles, oak, and a hint of motor oil. On the palate, it starts with a mild sweet/nuttiness. I suppose it's almond. It subsides with pronounced nuts, with low tannins..

Had this with baked cod. Nice pair .


UPDATE:
Wow, so Delectable is great. I just learned that I had this wine/vintage last year, and rated it 89+ points. Nevertheless, this disturbed me. I can say that the residual sugar isn't hitting me this time (maybe bottle age is helping) otherwise, some notes are redundant-- e.g., spice. Also, the wood has definitely mellowed and now I find it enjoyable.

93 points — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Dark ruby almost opaque. Black fruit notes with some wood notes and a little pepper and spice. Rich. Guessed Rhône but was surprised to see it being Cornas. Not as exotic as younger bottles of this. At peak and clearly ready for consumption. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

First, let me say the 07 Bordeaux vintage was largely frowned upon by professional critics. When I tasted it upon release, I had some doubts. However, I have said many times, in all difficult vintages anywhere, there are still producers that made good wine. Especially, if you give them time to evolve in bottle. This 07 has blossomed with 10 years in bottle and an absolutely perfect steak wine.

The nose reveals; smoldering ambers, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, ripe blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, black plum, floral blueberries, dark fruit liqueur, leather, cedar to saddle-wood, dark rich soils, stones, anise, graphite, old cigar with ash, hints of mushroom, steeped tea, fresh & withering red & dark floral bouquet.

The body is beautiful with; rich, round, velvety, smooth, tarry tannins. This 07 Poujeaux is in top form with plenty of life left ahead...another 7-10years easily. The structure, tension, length and balance are nicely knitted together. It glides effortlessly over the palate. A combination of dark currants & cassis. Ripe blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, bright cherries, baked strawberries, black plum, floral blueberries, dark fruit liqueur, dark chocolate, mocha bar, vanilla, clove, dark spice, leather, cedar to saddle-wood, dark rich soils, stones, smoldering ambers, dry crushed rocks, dry clay, limestone minerals, dry brush, anise, graphite, old cigar with ash, touch of pepper, hints of mushroom, steeped tea, beautifully, fragrant, violets, lavender, fresh & withering red & dark floral bouquet. The acidity is nicely balanced in the wine. The finish without the steak shows dusty, grainy tannins, good balance in fruit & earth, elegant, ripe fruit and persistent on the palate.

Photos of, the unassuming Chateau Poujeaux by Bordeaux standards, the rootstock & soil structure of the Poujeaux terroir, Cellar with concrete tanks & large oak vats and a wide shot of the Estate.

Producer history and notes...Chateau Poujeaux’s history can be traced back to the 16th Century. At that time, the owner of Chateau Latour, Gaston De L’Isle, owned the estate. Over the centuries, Chateau Poujeaux, like numerous Bordeaux estates has been the property of a multitude of owners.

In fact, the owner of Chateau Beychevelle Marquis François Etienne de Brassier was one of owners. Over the centuries, Chateau Poujeaux was bought, sold, split up and divided. It was not until 1921, when the Theil family became the owners of the property that all the previously divided sections were brought back together again.

The modern era for Chateau Poujeaux began more recently. It started in 2008, when Jean Theil sold Chateau Poujeaux to the Cuvelier family, who were already owners of Clos Fourtet in St. Emilion. Once the Cuvelier family purchased, Mathieu Cuvelier took charge and things changed for the better.

The winemaking facilities were modernized and the farming technique used in the vineyards of Chateau Poujeaux were also changed.

They reduced yields and began picking later, giving them riper fruit. They also moved to an organic vineyard management approach and are looking at biodynamic farming as well. All of this work in the vineyards have helped push the wine quality of the estate. You only need to open and taste some their newer vintages. You’ll notice the improvement in fruit quality and the winemaking practices.

The 68 hectare Moulis vineyard of Chateau Poujeaux is planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The terroir is gravel based soils, typical of the area as show in the above photo. The average age of the vines is close to 35 years, although some vines are older.

The debut vintage under the Cuvelier family was the 2008. At Chateau Poujeaux, they are practicing serious vineyard management with the help of Stéphane Derenoncourt, who works with numerous Bordeaux Winemakers on both banks, including the Cuvelier’s property in St. Emilion, Clos Fourtet.

Chateau Poujeaux, fruit is whole berry fermented in a combination of small stainless steel vats, oak barrels and cement tanks with a 25-day cuvaison. Chateau Poujeaux is aged in about 40% new, French oak barrels for an average of 12 months. On average, Chateau Poujeaux produces close to 25,000 cases per year. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Since this is the last Friday of the year, my Cabernet fix is going to be a little different this time.

Dark ruby in color with a short brick /orange rim.

Earthy nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, earth, wood, light vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, forest floor, leather, pencil lead, light barnyard, licorice, light vanilla, bell pepper and vegetables.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and nice legs.

Dry and earthy on the palate with blueberries, cherries, oak, licorice, cloves, earth, wet leaves, vegetables, herbs, beef jerky, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, green pepper, black tea and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

What a wonderful Cabernet based red from Saint Estephe. Nicely balanced and very complex with a great mouthfeel. Earthy and still young, but drinking very nicely now.

Not a great vintage, but so enjoyable by itself or with food. The nose is so complex, that it's so nice just to sniff on.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly and show some tannins.

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

13% alcohol by volume. — 8 years ago